With a heart full of gratitude for the blessings which God has given to me through the study of Christian Science, I am setting forth a few of the many indisputable proofs which I have experienced that this Science always heals, guards, guides, and fully protects us when it is properly applied.

During the summer of 1942 I received orders to go to the South Pacific. At that time our forces seemed very small compared with those of the enemy. While our convoy, which was carrying Navy and Marine personnel as well as desperately needed munitions, proceeded through waters which were also used by enemy submarines and task forces, I felt a strong incentive to turn to God, as we are taught to do in Christian Science. Almost every waking hour that was not occupied by my duties was spent in earnest study of the Bible, the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, and the authorized Christian Science periodicals.

One night the tropical moon was particularly bright, and the ships stood out in bold relief against the black waters. An air of tenseness seemed to pervade the ship. To mortal sense we appeared to be particularly vulnerable. As I stood on a wing of the bridge peering into the night, carefully scanning the sea and horizon, the following words by our Leader, Mrs. Eddy (Science and Health, p. 325), which were included in that week's Lesson-Sermon, came forcibly to mind as an angel visitant. Speaking of Paul's words in Colossians 3:4, Mrs. Eddy writes, "The absolute meaning of the apostolic words is this: Then shall man be found, in His likeness, perfect as the Father, indestructible in Life, 'hid with Christ in God,'—with Truth in divine Love, where human sense hath not seen man."

Almost immediately the sky filled with small dark clouds. The moon shining from behind this cloud formation cast innumerable black shadows over the ships and sea. This natural camouflage was so effective that it was impossible to see even the nearest vessel in the convoy. Never before had God seemed so close; truly He had heard our prayer and blessed us.

Previously the medical officer had reported a number of cases of scarlet fever aboard. Considerable concern was expressed as to the possibility of an epidemic, owing to the crowded conditions necessitated by the movement of so many troops. Mrs. Eddy has written on page 376 of Science and Health, "Destroy fear, and you end fever." While pondering this healing truth, I recalled the words of St. John (I John 4:18), "Perfect love casteth out fear." Immediately I saw the need for more love and less fear and declared God's allness. The following day the doctor said there were no new cases, and he expressed great satisfaction that the malady had not spread. No more cases developed, and before the voyage was over the original patients were able to resume their duties.

At our first port of call, while I was making an official visit aboard the convoy flagship, the report was received that a near-by ammunition ship was on fire, and smoke was seen billowing up from her after hold. Instantly our Leader's words (Science and Health, p. 293) came to my thought: "There is no vapid fury of mortal mind—expressed in earthquake, wind, wave, lightning, fire, bestial ferocity—and this so-called mind is self-destroyed." That these inspired words were applicable to that very situation was instantly proved, for the signal came that the fire was out. Not a single round of ammunition had exploded and the ship was ready to proceed at the appointed time.

After leaving for our next destination, one of the ships experienced difficulty in keeping up with the convoy. I worked to know that in the universe of Spirit all of God's ideas move in accord with His law, repeating these words (ibid.,p. 283): "Mind is the source of all movement, and there is no inertia to retard or check its perpetual and harmonious action." For several days, this ship dropped back at dusk, but each morning was again in her place. Then one day we received a visual message that she had experienced a major breakdown which would necessitate our leaving her.

For the first time on that tour of duty I seemed to be overwhelmed with discouragement, and prayed in these words (Mark 9:24): "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Soon despair gave way to confidence, and although the ship was not seen, nor could she break radio silence to advise us as to her whereabouts, I knew that all was well and felt sorry that I had ever been in the slightest doubt.

Sometime later, while ashore at a South Pacific base, I was stopped by a young officer whom I had never seen before, and who said that he wanted to tell me about his ship, the same vessel which had fallen out of our convoy. He said that after a serious mechanical mishap, they had had to put out the fire under the boilers. As a result they had lost their steam and were unable to operate the blowers which were used in starting the fires. Even though the situation appeared hopeless, he stated that they kept working and, as by a miracle, got underway again, arriving at their destination within the time which they had been allowed. My gratitude knew no bounds, for here was firsthand information to confirm what had been mentally perceived as true regarding the well-being of that ship, even though sense testimony was to the contrary.

During more than three years of active duty with our Navy, twenty-one months of which were in the South Pacific, I have never missed a single day as a result of sickness or injury. I have taken no medicine of any kind with the exception of the regulation inoculations, which caused no ill effects. Having been taught to rely upon Christian Science all my life, I have never used material remedies of any kind and have enjoyed the best of health.

For every activity provided for in the Church Manual by Mrs. Eddy, for the consecrated support and protection which loyal Christian Scientists throughout the world are giving to our armed forces, and for the privilege of fighting the good fight with weapons which "are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (II Cor. 10:4), I am ever increasingly grateful.—(Comdr.) Brooks Gifford, Pasadena, California.